[stylist] Writing and product options

Sun Dec 4 19:33:15 UTC 2016

Hi Sarah, I am glad that you got that newspaper job. It inspires me to go talk to our local newspaper editor something I have been meaning to do for quite some time. I am with Bridget on using the laptop I still find it to be the most reliable in terms of notetaking. If you are able to make word work for you on the phone more power to you I can never get it to work and especially it is hard to edit. I know you mentioned that as a difficulty. If I write anything on the phone I use voice dream writer. I find it easiest for editing my work. I think you can use Evernote for that also it used to be called nebulous but he changed the name of it or something. Anyway, I have never found word to be easy on the phone so I took it off completely. Anyway, just my notes on writing using the phone. If you need to record interviews I think it really depends on the phone the success you get with the built in voice memos program. Here is my experience. I have a 5S that I no longer use for phone calls or Internet access and I can record interviews using that but the 5S tends to be but I want to say temperamental but I'm not sure that's the right word. If you use the 5S I would definitely practice before hand the system works once you figure it out. I find the voice memos program on the seven to be much easier to operate. I don't know if you have an iPhone or not that is my experience with recording. I would almost go back to a microcassette recorder or even a tape recorder I know you can still find them. But if you feel reasonably calm couldn't in your typing skills you could type the interview although I'm also with Bridget on this and that it is pretty much up to you what you choose and what makes you feel more comfortable. I know it's beneficial for me to get others experiences so that I can base my own decisions on that plus whatever I feel is comfortable for me. I think that is a complicated way of saying you need to do research to find what's the easiest for you to operate in terms of technology. Hey I have an old transcriber machine I probably would use that especially if I didn't want to lose the interview. That thing was meant to last. And it has lasted. The pedal doesn't work anymore but hey I would still use it for recording. Anyway, just my notes I am sure someone else will give you a great number of experiment and  go to applevis.com and look for voice recording apps because I know they have reviewed a few of them. It's the old idea that you have to try a few things until you find something that works for you. Good luck keep us posted.

Shelley, Queen of bells out! 
Trespasser my first published novel 2015
Http://www.lulu.com/Queenofbells712

> On Dec 4, 2016, at 10:55 AM, Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter via stylist <stylist at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Sarah,
> 
> Congrats on the job. That's exciting.
> 
> I've always used a small laptop computer and prefer this for most my work. You can use tablets with keyboards now that are compact too, which is something I've been looking into for a while. I've had my problems with computers, who hasn't, but not to the point that I would not recommend one if that works for you. I have not used a notetaker in years, but I've always preferred my laptop over notetakers. But this just depends on what tech you're used too.
> 
> As for taking interviews, it's really what's comfortable for you and convenient for you. Lots of writers record interviews, which is nice if you need to go back for direct quotes, but many write notes. Again, I have used a computer for this. And since I use a netbook laptop, it's lightweight and compact, so not awkward and cumbersome to take with me. If I were sighted, I would just use pen and notebook, but this is not an option for me anymore. If you're a Braille user, you could write in Braille, something I would also do, but I am a slow Braille reader, so it's more efficient for me to use another medium for note taking.
> 
> If doing quicker interviews, writing down works well, but if conducting a more in-depth interview, just recording is nice because you can just focus on the interview. Ultimately, it's up to you though.
> 
> Bridgit
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Sarah Harris via stylist
> Sent: Saturday, December 03, 2016 7:27 PM
> To: stylist at nfbnet.org
> Cc: Sarah Harris <sarahandfamily04 at gmail.com>
> Subject: [stylist] Writing and product options
> 
>   Good evening. I started working for the local newspaper yesterday, will work there on Fridays, and do some work from home. One thing I am writing is about local businesses and will look like a TV guide. It's almost like I'm writing commercials, which some something I've never done. The grammar part is easy though. I'm also going to write articles about churches in the area. What would be a way to record interviews, or would taking notes work better? I took notes using my iPhone and focus 40 blue. I had trouble with my laptop—something that happens frequently—so I had to write using Word on my iPhone. That works until you make a mistake. I email the articles to advertising or the editor. I need a way to have a notes file and article file open and switch between them. Is a notetaker a good option? I would appreciate any suggestions for writing about the businesses. Thank you. Sarah 
> 
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
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